KABUL: International media reports indicate that at least 34 people have lost their lives in northern India due to floods and landslides. Reuters reported on Wednesday that 30 individuals died as a result of a landslide near the “Vaishno Devi” shrine. This incident is the latest disaster stemming from severe rainfall in the Himalayan region. Last week, heavy rains in the Kishtwar area of Indian-administered Kashmir claimed the lives of 60 people, with around 200 individuals reported missing. In Pakistan, monsoon rains and river overflows have led to a widespread crisis. Pakistani officials have announced that the death toll has reached 802, with over 1,000 people injured. The National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan reported that the highest casualties occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, which suffered significant damage. Nearly 7,000 homes have been destroyed, and in Punjab alone, over 174,000 people have been displaced due to rising waters from the Sutlej River. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared a state of emergency, stating that the country cannot tackle the climate crisis alone and calling for international assistance. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that further rainfall in the coming days may increase casualties and damage.
